System of distribution



Nov. 1, 1927.

C. LE G. FORTESCUE SYSTEM OF DISTRIBUTION Filed April 13. 1922 W u x u M v m r u w 4 u n ,w m e u n r I I l I llwllnllllllh M g, a A .NSQK Nv t u M J u m M m Q m a 6+ i l m w m A n n M m 0 s n A r {IN-1-1:. m u. .1- Will L. 6 "I.--Lr 1||||L 6 r. i n llli L m N m h v S s fm m FM w ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 1, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,647,348 PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES LE G. I ORTiESCUE, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, -ASSIGNOR TO WEST INGHOUSE ELECTRIC &' MANUFACTURI1 IG QOMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENN- SYLVANIA.

SYSTEM or DIs'rRIBU rIoN;

Application filed 4 m 13, 1922. Serial No. 552,241.

My invention relateshto-systems of distrihution and it has special-.a'elation to 'the distribution of energyor power to electric railway systems and the like;

One object of my invention-is to sectionalize the 'wo'rkingor contact conductor 'of-an electric railwayfsyste'm and to' 'apply voltages of different phases to-different section's.

A'nother:;object ofzmy invention is ltO provide a working or supply:conductor'zforran electric railway systemgor the1 Likegthat is divided intoa' plurality of 'i'ndependelnt:sections, voltages-of different phasesa'being sup plied to the successive :sections'ima predetermined ordere preferablya regular rota tion of'phases'. i

Another object-of mysinvention islto provide a system 'ofifthe above-indicated A character wherein curr'erit-lignitinghniehnsf iiSfiCOD- nected between the confropting end portions of adjacent sections'of-zthe" working conduc- L-i as; $51. :miiiiJr-s .flii Us: lime-1 f A further object :of mysimienmdn i x-mpro- -vide an electrical. distribution tsyst em com prising a pluralitypf independent relatively long sections of a working conductor,- which are separated by :one .or more-relativly;-short sections, together. with rimpedancea coils i or other means fori'limiting the 'c'urrent z: that may flow from-one section tojanother during the passage of an electiicrlocomotive, orthe like along the various sections, 1

My invention may best-be underst'ood 'by reference to the accompanying drawing,

Fig. 1 ofwhich is a diagrammatic view of an electrical distribution system organized in accordance with my present inv'ention,- and Fig. 2 is a similar view ofo-amodified form of the invention.

Referringgto Fig.1 of the. drawing, the system here shown 5 comprises va pluralit-y of supply circuit conduct-orsfll, 2 and 3 which may constitute a polyphase supply or: trans mission circuit; of the usual character.- A. plurality of sub-stationsl; 5, 6 and .7, etc.,' are disposed along the right-'of-way, as conditions demand. a .;-g1 1, F

The working. or contact conductor 8. I for the railway system isdivijded into a plurality of relatively long sections corresponding to the distance between theflrespective sub-stations. The confrontingend-portions ofthe working conductor sections, are

approved type; It should be 5 understood joined by: means of suitable section insulators 9 of any.

thatthe-length=of-each section insulator 9 is sufiicient toprevent the current-collecting devices of locomotives traversing the line from simultaneously makin contact with adjacent sections ofjthe wor iring conductor 8. In thisway thecontachconductor 8 presents asmooth under-runningsurface-for the pantographfor other current 'collectorof an electric locomotive 10 or the like, as' the locomotiv'eruns along'theusual track rails .11. These railsqar'egrounded in the usual manner, as indicated by theconventional sign12.,;'----" v Considering the left-ha'ndsection insulator 9, two secondary transformer windings or coils and 16 are connected between the 'respective confronting end portions of the adjacent-workingconductor sections and the common-track rail or return circuit 11. The primary transformer winding 1'? corresponding to the winding 15 is connected across the supply icircuitnconductor's 1- and: 3, whereas the other; secondary transformer winding 16 is;e ne'rgized fromva primary winding 18 that is. connected across a difiterent phase of the supply; circuit corresponding to the conductors 1 .-and'2.{..- Y 1 a 1 :It -will beunderstood-thatall of the transformer windings 15- to 18, inclusive, are preferably located within the sub-station 4, in accordance-with a well-known practice. ---VVithin the remaining sub-stations 5, 6, '7, etc., along the right-of-way, a similar arrangement of transformer windings is effected, although the respective phases of the transmission system are connected in a regular rotation to the secondary transformer windings upon opposite sides of each section insulator 9. l or example, considering the substation 5', secondary; transformer windings 19 and 20 are connected between the respective confronting ends of the corresponding working conductor sectionsand the common returnor rail'circuit 11. -The primary winding 21, corresponding to the secondary transformer winding 19, is connected across conductors 1 and '2, while the other primary winding 22 is connected to the supply-c1rcu1t conductors 2 and 3.

--It will be noted that the primary transformer winding 18 in sub-station 4:and h primary transformercwindingfil in subtion 5 are energized from the same pha 'f the supply circuit and serve l to :e g z s ngle section of the 'workitrgmonductor-S itl lit)

through the agency. of the corresponding secondary transformer. windings 16 and'19.

On the other hand, the extreme leit-hand.

from the third phase of the supply circuit,

namely, that corresponding to conductors 2 and 3 In this way, the successive sections of the. working or supply conductor 8 are energized by the ditter'ent phases of the transmission circuit, in accordance with a regular rotation.' In other-words, the adjacent sections of the-working conductor'S are energized'by voltages otphases that differ by equal angles from each other, namely, angles of 60.

Consequently, as the pant'ograph or other cnrrent collectorof the locomotive 10 passes from: one section Sto the next, the difference in voltage between the two adjacent sections and-.the corresponding tendency for theilo'comotive to increase inspeed is reduced to a relatively. small? value. by reason of the fact that the phases of thervoltag es impressed upon the adjacent. sections of the conductor 8 are only 60 apart? i Reference may now be had-to Fig.2 wherein the. system sh'owncomprises the transmission circuit conductors-1', '2 and 3 together with a plurality of sub-stations lo ca-ted' along-the right-of-way', as previously set forth. However, the working or supply conductor- 8 for. the railway system," instead of comprisin ronly a series of relatively long sections, includes a pliiral-i'tyof'suchsections and, in addition, one or more. relatively'short sections, such as 8* and 8"-,that are located between and are independent of the relatively long sections. As illustrated, the short ectionsB and 8" are insulated from each other and: from the adjacentportions ofthe working"conductor- 8* simply by suitable air spaces, but it will be understood that any well-known type 01: section insulator, or uf equivalent, may be employed, ifdesired. i

'Assuin-infz that the let't-h'and Substation illustrated in Fig, 2 corresponds to sub-sta tion=5 of Fig.- 1, for example, the secondary transformer windings-lfi and are con ncot-wl t o the controntingend portions of the adjacent relatively longsections of theorklug-conductor 8: A coininomretiirn connect-ionrtihroughthe track rails 11 isprovided as previously described. Furthermore, the priniary t-izanstormer \VlHdlllgS21 and, 22am arranged and connected tothe supply-circuit conductors-in the; same manner as hereinbefore s'etforth.

In the system of Fig. 2, however, a currontlimiting. device,-. such as;- an impedance coil= or. the. like, is connected between thecontrontiing end .portionsof: the working conductor sections. Furthermore, a pluralit y of relatively small impedance coils 31 and 32 are shown as connected between the relatively short working-conductor sections 8 a I 1 l .8 and intermediate. points of the main impedance coil 30.

ltnvill; understood that, if desired, i? lieu of providing the impedance coils 30, 31 and32, theineoessary reactance for limiting the flow of current to a predetermined value maybe incorporated int-he sub-station transformers th emsel ves;

In either case, d-uring'the passage of a locomotive pantograph from one relatively long working-conductor section to another, the connection or short-circuit of, first, sections 8 Mat 8 secondly, short sections 8 and 8", and finally,sections 8 and 8, will cause no injurious results by reason of the reactance' that is connected: between all pairs of adjacent sectionsqw In this: way, :reasbnzofi the overlapping oi the successive sections, as illustrated in liiga2, a satisfactory-running surface may be prov-id d iiorgthe:ncurtgent collecting' devices of the locomotives and-,atithe same time, the circulatingicuvrents caused by. the passage of suchi current-collecting devices are maintained belowi a predeterminedvalue.

:1 To reduce the possible surges of our-rent in: i the locomotive i m'iotens to a :t relatively small value, in addition to the reactance coil's- 30-, 3'1 and 32 that areassociated with thepverliead linesythe locomotivei-10= may be rovid'edi withiwo pantiogija 'hs 35f, the lower ends ofiwhich'areoenhected y asuitable reactivej'device '36; the imiddlefl tap 37 thereof being conneotied' bo are i motion-control system in'Tanyjamilia-fi manner-. 5 Irr'this yVay aS the two. p'antdg-izaphs 35Npas's along the ivorking conducton i 8g=1eve n tliou gli 1 onej pa-ntograph makes contaetnvvith the lon 'section 8 and the other pantognaph with the short secvariation? of! current will occur in the motor leath37 by reason ott= the interposition of the reaotance coit36,:in'additi-on to the current limiting-function's of the reactive devices 30, 31 and 32. p U F "It will beseen that- I ha'vet-husprovided a relatively-simple system of distribntion for electric rzti-lways, whereby tih successive sec t-ions ol -a contacticonductor are connected to thei-phases of a polyphase supply c ircuit ini accoi dance with a regular' rotation. I have also,:provided=m'eans=' 'fo'rli'miting' the flow of current from one section to another during' the passage of alocomotive, if itis desired to restrict the changes of current at thatibime toa relatively' -small value. I do-not: wish to be restricted" to the specific circuit connections or arrangem ent of parts herein set forth, as various modifications thereof may be effected ivit-h'out departing from the spirit and scope ofmy invention.

iii)

r ng curren'tfsystem'of distribution, the combination *Withf 'f'a 5 supply conductor c omprising' al'pluralityn 0f =inde pendent'" section's;"' o'f plurality of transformer windings respecti-vely connected 1 to the confronting; end; portions of adja'cntsec zedin aipredeter-mined order -b y-' "energ o materially difierentibharg i t'i jp 'JH'U'E; J' 3.11 "alternatin -current'systemof dis;- he combina'tion w i th a supply conductor comprising? 'a" lurality ofifndefpen dent- 'secti'ons"; -*"of; plfifil'lity of; trans former-winding -res ee tive ly '--connected to the confro'n'ting end'portions;of adjacenbsec Lions and"; energized in" reg 'Ifl -ar:. .rotation' by energy of material-1w-difi rent character-is g 4. In='a'n alternatingcurrent systemofidistr-ibu'tion', the combination with a supply con ducto r; comprising-ja pluralitzy ofindependent sections; ,1'of a; pluralityof transformer windings respectively; connectedto tlie con fronting end portions of 'adjacent sections and" energized by voita'ges differ-ing: substan= tially'sixty degrees in'phasefi'r:'i r:

5: In a: 'system' o'f distribution, thei combination with a polyphase supply=circu'it, and a wo rking' conductor comprising a plurality of insulated-sections, of a plura-lity ofgtrans; former windings respectively? connected to the feonfrontin'g T endportions o'=-adjacnt sections, the successive pairs of transformer windings being energized by: iioltag'es differing in phase by substantially equal angles.

6. In a system of distribution, the combination with'a working conductor comprising a plurality of independent relatively long sections, of a relatively short section of working conductor located between and independent of said long sections, means for impressing "oltages of different phases upon said long sections, and current limiting means connected between certain of said sections.

7. In a system of distribution, the combination with a working conductor comprising a plurality of independent sections, of means for impressing voltages of different phases upon said sections, and current-limit i ng means connected between said sections.

8. In an alternating-current system of distribution, the combination with a working said conductor'coinprisin'g aplurality of inde pendent sections of means for supplying alternating-current energy 'of difierentphases to-said sections in apredetermined order, and current-1i fitingnieanS connected between each pair ofsections rent-limiting mean connected between ad lacent 'seenonsw' 311"" 7" on,- 1 the coinbina'tion hvitha polyphaselsupply -circuit, and a working conductor comprising'a-plu rality o fr insulated ';.=se 'ctions, ofi meaiis for supplying successive pziirs' ofi sections 5 wi th voltages differing in phase? by==substantially equal anglesfmnd: currentliiniting. means connected-between each =pai r:of sections.- 5

i "1 12. In Hahflaltzflating-current system of distributionthelcombination with a supply conductor? icomprising anplu'rality' of independent 3sections;;lof* a; plurality: of: trans-. former'zzwi-ndingsg respectively; i connected to the confronting end? portions .-;of:-. adjacent sections and" energizedbw voltages of Jditferent zphase'sgcand'icurrentimiting means -connectedl betweensaid:end;portions. 1

-13. In a system ofndistribution, -the' coin; binationavith ;a: working;,conductomcompriss ing; plurality!=ofriindependent relatively long: i Sections,-; of ai inelazti'vely short section of working conductor -,lof&ted between and independentof, gsaid; long; seetip'ns, means for impliessing ivoltagesofi (difienentphases upon long sections, and current-limiting means connected between each long section and said short section.

14. In a system of distribution, the combination with a working conductor comprising a plurality of independent relatively long sections, of a relatively short section of working conductor located between and independent of said long sections, means for supplying energy of different characteristics to said long sections, and currentlimiting means connected between said sections.

15. In an alternating-current system of distribution, the combination with a Working conductor comprising a plurality of independent relatively long sections, of a relatively short section of working conductors located between and independent of Said long sections, meanst'or supplying energy of different phases to said long sections in a predetermined order, and current-limiting means connected between said sections.

16. In an alternating-current. system of. distribution, the combination. with a Working conductor comprisinga plurality of independent relatively long sections, of a relatively short section of Working conductors located between and independent of; said long sections, means for supplying energy of difierent phases to said long 1sections.. -in. a regular rotation, and current-limiting means connected between each. pair 0t sections.

17 In an alternatingwnnrent system of distribution, the combination with; a. ,workingconductor comprising a. pl ural-ityof independent relatively long sections,. ofi.a relatively. shortxsection: of working-conductor located between and independent-Jot said long sections, of means fonsupplying. adjacent long sections with voltages dififering substantially sixty degrees inphas'e,yand current-limiting means connected between adjacent sections.

18. In. an altermiting-eum'rent system of distribution, thecombination with a :WQIlkZl-lllg conductor comprising a plural'ity ofi inde pendent relatively long sections,.of a'relatively short section of 'workingconductor located betweenandindependentof :said long sections, of means for supplying-successive painsot long sectionswithnvolfiages differing infphase by substantiallyuequal angles, and current-limit-ingmeans connected between adjacent sections. l

19; In an. alternatingcurrent'system of distribution, the eombinationi w ith a supply conductor comprising aplurality off-indew pendent relatively longsections, .ota relatively short section: of working conductor located between and independent of said long sections, a plurality of transformer windings respectively connected to the confront-ing end portionsof adjacent long-sections and energized by voltages of difierent phases, and current-limiting means connected between adjacent sections.

0. In an alternating cnrrent. system of di ,ribution, the combination with a supply conductor comprising a plurality of independent relatively long sections, of a relatively short section of working conductor. located between and independent of said long sections, a plurality of transformer Windings respectively. connected to thejconinonting end portions of adjacentv long sections and energized in a predetermined order by energy of materially different charaetenistics and current-limiting means connected between adjacentsections,.

21. An alternating-current railway system comprising a polyphase supply circuit, a. workin conductor omprising a plurality of main sections and a plurality-of auxiliary sections,- means. forenergizing said main sections from' successive phases of said supply. circuit, eachpair. otmain sections being separated by one or ,more intermedianely lojcated auxiliamy. sections, impedance means joining 1 sa idmain: and intermediate sections, and a loconiotive-jhaving tyqo. currentrcole lecting devicesjoinedi-hyimbalancecoil, said current-collecting .-dev ices beating on said main and auxiliary sections successively as the locomotive advances.

2'2. Ancalterna-ting-enrnent rail-way system comprising a polyphase, supply circuit, a war-king: conductor comprising a plurality ot sections, means; .for; energizing said sec tions from successive phases! of said supply circuit, and .ai locomotiarei having twocarrent-collecting devices joined by-a balance coil, said current-collectingdewices, bearing on-saidsections successiv ly as, the: locomo tive advances.

23. A locomotive having two currentcollecti-ngdevices, joined by a balance. eoil.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this Llthdayof April,-

CHARLES LE 61 

